March 05, 2018

I wrote this story for my 'On Savannah' series and never used it. For the journal for this page I decided to tell the story of the best pizza around the town and where we go for that pizza by way of an advertisement blip or insert rather than simply we had a date, we went to Vinnie's, we loved the pizza - although that did happen, we did go to Vinnie's and we did have amazing pizza.

In a rare evening, Jeff worked in the office for a superintendent's meeting so it was an earlier than usual work day and thus, when we were deciding on a place to eat for our date night - every Friday - we opted for Vinnie's on the square, in City Market, downtown Savannah. Without fail, the pizza is always good!

I had such fun putting this little advertisement together for the journal of my page as if I was telling a story for a blog post, or a magazine ad: Where to go for the best pizza in town

January 23, 2017

The idea of an early morning adventure makes the sound of the alarm clock going off at 5:00 am (5:30 at the latest; if no shower is required) palatable. Before hitting the road, pour that first cup of freshly brewed coffee into a Yeti (because 5:00 am on a Saturday is just insanity without coffee for the road), throw two portable chairs into the bed of the truck, and grab the big Canon camera with tripod.

Then.

Drive 40 miles to watch the sun rise above the horizon on the cool Tybee Island beach. It is above all - breathtaking. There is something exhilarating about being one of the few cars on the road heading on an excursion eastward along Georgia highway 80 knowing the destination will begin with a sunrise and end with food - a hearty breakfast, sustenance for the weekend's activities. Setting up camera and tripod on the sandy beach we chat quietly with an occasional uninhibited chuckle that resonates above the waves breaking with the early morning tides. It is breathtaking - yes. And, unmistakably peaceful. Capture on camera, for posterity, those first glimpses of the sun peeking over the horizon. Take in the brilliant colors. Thank God for the new in every morning.

Then.

Quickly pack it up and head over to The Breakfast Club, one of Tybee Island's privately-owned, unique restaurants catering solely to grilled-top breakfast and brunch fare where the line waiting to get in is filled with locals and guests to the island, that starts early, and is always long. Read the Club's cheeky, window-front door signs while you're waiting your turn to be tapped by the waitress on the door. When she lets you in the door, one at a time, definitely request seating at the counter; it's an experience worth taking in.

Order anything and it will be good. Watching the grill guys working together to prepare your fare, even better! Chat with the cooks, sip a great cup of coffee, listen to Pandora and the best 70's music has to offer, and chow down on some really good food. The hash browns - amazing. The eggs, perfection. The homemade sausage, hearty and well-flavored. Sure, they have healthier options - with spinach - but, why?

This early morning excursion is worth every mile and every minute. It is a total delight to the senses: the sight of the sun rising on the eastern horizon, the smell of the salty ocean air, the sound of squawking seagulls, and the mouth-watering taste of really good breakfast fare.

P.S. Stories 2017

As part of my scrapbooking goals for 2017, I'm using Ali Edwards' Story kitsin my pages, several pages per kit. As a digital scrapbooker using digital product is not quite the same as physical product in that I can use the product pieces over and over again. But, my goal is to use more of each kit, making it worth the money of a monthly subscription. For the page above, telling the story of an early morning adventure I used the DRIVE, NUMBERS, and AM/PM Story kits. I kept developing the page piece by piece but first beginning simply using an Ali Edwards template I found in my stash. I did modify the template from an 8.5 x 11 to a 12 x 12 canvas page.

January 17, 2017

For a sensational surprise outdoor date adventure, cleverly and cunningly arranged by your date (aka, my hubby), enjoy a dolphin boating tour, relax dockside for a meal at one of Tybee's most popular restaurant, and finish off the evening with a leisurely stroll hand in hand on the lush, sandy beach of Tybee Island - Savannah's eastward isle.

Do not pass up this terrific trifecta of an afternoon and well-into-the-evening engagement perfectly designed for two; enjoy the sun’s warmth on your faces, and the salt-water spray on your arms and wafting through your nostrils; allow the silky sand between your toes and the sea-foam and crashing waves at your feet. Come on, let's get started!

The excitement mounts as you climb onto the touring trawler at Captain Mike's Dolphin Tours , voted best adventure tour nine years straight, and depart Lazaretto Creek Marina heading up the channel and out into the gently breaking open waters towards the Atlantic Ocean. Every heart aboard is pounding with expectation as you pass shrimp boats and docks portraying the charm of an old fishing village hoping to be the first to sight a dolphin.

Every eye is peeled, even as the Cockspur Lighthousepasses by and anticipating that first glimpse of a school of friendly, bottle-nosed dolphin to happenstance alongside the boat. The Cockspur Lighthouse, built in 1855, withstood a direct line of fire, 30-hour raging battle when the Confederate armies fell to the Union during the Civil War. The tour guide deftly maneuvers the boat by Cockspur Island for a panoramic view of another historic monument and favored touring site, Fort Pulaski, that fell to the Union during the same 30-hour conflict. Then, approaching the North Beach of Tybee, the tour meets its half-way point with a scenic view of one of America's most intact lighthouses, the Tybee Lighthouse that has been guiding mariners with its nine-foot tall First Order Fresnel lens safely into the Savannah River for 270 years.

After an hour and a half in open waters your face is toasty warm from the sun and yet, a bit chilled from the cool waters spry, head onto Tybee Island proper to AJ’s Docksiderestaurant tucked in off the beaten path, juxtaposed to the island's Back River where avid boaters park – well - dockside, and head along the pier and onto the dock to enjoy AJ’s highly rated seafood fare. First things first: You do not want to miss the simply southern appetizer of blackened shrimp and grits with just a touch of Cajun flare.

Following your leisurely, and truly delightful meal, head down to the beach where Tybee beach is a pay-to-park community accepting cash or credit cards and parking is free after 8 pm. Cross one of the many public wooden boardwalks, passing by the sea grass-laden sand dunes, take a stroll down to the western shore of the Atlantic Ocean hand in hand. Kick off your shoes, and enjoy a peaceful ramble along the gentle seashelled shore with waves lapping against your ankles and watch the final farewell to the day’s sun as you pass under the Tybee pier. Perfect ending to a perfect day.